Evil and Suffering

• Moral evil and suffering

  evil and suffering caused by human beings, eg murder, theft.
• Natural evil and suffering

  evil and suffering caused by nature, eg earthquakes, tsunamis
• Theodicy


  An attempt to explain the problem of evil
• Explanations for why a good, powerful God allows us to suffer


  • God created humans with free will, not to be like robots
  • Suffering is a test
  • Suffering is a punishment for sin
  • Suffering is part of God's plan, which is beyond human understanding
  • Suffering is temporary, heaven is eternal
  • Suffering helps us learn, grow and develop as people
  • Jesus suffered and died to save humans and allow them to have eternal life
  • God knows what it is like to suffer and will be with people in their suffering
  • It is more important to try to do something about suffering than worry about where it comes from
• How Christians respond to evil and suffering

  1. Remembering suffering is temporary and heaven is eternal

  2. Believing suffering helps us learn, grow and develop as people

  3. Believing Jesus suffered and died to save humans

  4. Believing God knows what it is like to suffer and will be with people in their suffering

  5. Trying to do something about suffering rather than worrying about where it comes from
• How Christians help those who are suffering

  • Praying for those in need
  • Giving practical help, like giving to charity
  • Visiting the sick and elderly
  • Organising hostels for the homeless
• Christians believe that Jesus suffered and died to save humans and allow them to have eternal life
• Jesus told his followers to help those who are suffering (eg Parable of the Sheep and the Goats)